Together We Remember

Optometry lost a legend with the recent passing of Art Epstein, OD, FAAO. It’s amazing how one man had such an impact. He was a mentor to many, an advocate for optometry, a giant in the field of ocular surface disease, and a true friend. To say he will be missed is an understatement.

Art is the reason I am here, writing and educating. Several years ago, I felt that I had a purpose bigger than just patient care, and I reached out to him through email. He was gracious with his time and prompted me to call him. I stood outside on my back porch, taking notes while hiding from the tiny voices of my children calling from inside my home. He told me if I wanted to share the knowledge I have with others, I should write. The rest is history. Thank you, Art, for your guidance and more importantly, for cheering me on along my journey in optometry. — Leslie

Like many of us, Dr. Epstein has had a major impact on my career. A specific memory I have occurred when I had the opportunity to sit down with him at the annual Optometric Glaucoma Society meeting a few years back. I have always had an interest in glaucoma, but Dr. Epstein challenged me to think of the ocular surface in patients with glaucoma as well. His words led me, along with a few of my colleagues, to publish a study on the effects of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery on the ocular surface, to get involved in glaucoma drug delivery research to understand how reducing the drop burden while controlling IOP affects the ocular surface, and to not forget that although we are trying to preserve the vision of our glaucoma patients, preservation of the ocular surface is just as important. — Justin

Art is truly a giant in our profession and his passing has come as a shock to all of us. His service to his family, his patients, his colleagues, and our profession has set an example for all of us to follow. We all have fond memories of Art, and I appreciate the times I got to spend learning from him and working with him. He pushed me to continue to become a better optometrist, educator, and a better person, and for that I say thank you, Art! — Walt

Discussing the passing of a colleague and the cover focus of an issue in the same page is an odd juxtaposition, we’ll admit, but we’re also confident that Art would understand that the “show” must go on. We’ll keep the rest of this short, regardless.

Although helping our patients optimize their vision and ocular health is our focus most days, we often need to refer to our ophthalmology colleagues in order to achieve our shared goal of providing the best possible care.

Surgical comanagement is an integral part of patient care for those of us practicing optometry with a medical bend, and finding a surgeon to whom we can confidently refer patients starts with us. This issue is loaded with great tips and insights, thanks to a perfect pairing of our cover focus on cataract and refractive surgery and our subfocus on integrated care—two topics near and dear to the medical optometrist’s heart.

Flip on over to the Table of Contents and check out the lineup of topics and authors we’ve put together for you. We hope you enjoy the issue. As always, feel free to contact us at editors@bmctoday.com.

First, find your way over to read “Where Are We Going With IOL Technology” by Halee Alleman, OD, and Walter O. Whitley, OD, MBA, FAAO. Next, get some pearls from Justin Schweitzer, OD, FAAO, in “Treating Glaucoma in the Cataract Patient”—it’s a real scream! (And a must-read to strengthen your understanding of MIGS when referring patients for surgical consults.) Andy Mackner, OD, addresses complications in “TASS After Cataract Surgery,” and if you want to learn about the latest version of the implantable collamer lens, then be sure to turn to to read “Correcting High Myopia at the Nodal Point,” by Nicholas J. Bruns, OD, and John A. Vukich, MD.

Educating the surgical patient begins in the office of the referring doctor. As the primary eye care provider, you have a better relationship and a better understanding of the lifetime visual needs for your patient. This should be communicated in advance of referring the patient to a trusted surgeon. Just as you work to prepare the ocular surface for optimal health prior to their exam, you should also educate the patient about their options ahead of the surgical visit. There is a lot to learn, and surgery can be a daunting and even scary time in the lives of our patients. Steven J. Ferguson, OD, and Kayla Karpuk, OD, have some additional advice in their article, “Preventing Unhappy Post Surgery Patients.”

As the aging population of baby boomers continues to place high demand for eye care services, there are roles and responsibilities for both ODs and MDs. Both groups need to continue to forge new relationships and strengthen existing referral network contacts. We must continue to expand our symbiotic relationship with the shared goal of optimal care for our patients.

So get out there, educate your patients and build relationships with others in your network!

We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, feel free to drop us a line at editors@bmctoday.com.